The 40 days of intense Test cricket in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy have come to a memorable end, with Australia reclaiming the trophy after a decade. India, despite their dominance in recent years, was handed a reality check, marking a transition period as they failed to qualify for the World Test Championship finals for the third consecutive time. With the longer formats now taking a backseat, attention shifts to the 50-over format, as the Champions Trophy 2025 kicks off from February 9 to March 19 in Pakistan and the UAE. Cricket fans around the world are eagerly anticipating the return of this prestigious 50-over tournament. Amidst this excitement, significant news emerges, including Jasprit Bumrah's expected appointment as vice-captain and the Indian team’s upcoming squad reveal. Here’s a look at the key developments leading up to this highly anticipated event.
Vice Captain Jasprit Bumrah
The Champions Trophy saga continued as India and Pakistan faced off in an intense clash regarding venue changes. Ultimately, it was decided that India's matches would be hosted in the UAE. Now, both teams are expected to finalize their squads, as the deadline for submissions is January 12th. According to reports, Indian chief selector Ajit Agarkar will announce the squad by this date. The team will be led by Indian captain Rohit Sharma, and recent news indicates that Jasprit Bumrah is set to be appointed as the vice-captain of the Indian team. This position is well-deserved for the world's best bowler, who has demonstrated exceptional performance and leadership influence during the recent series.
Top Players to Make a Return?
Last year, India played several 50-over matches, including in the T20 World Cup and the WTC Finals, which dominated the cricket calendar. As a result, many players found themselves in "Test mode" and are now expected to quickly adapt back to the 50-over format. Due to the lack of ODI series last year, players like Shreyas Iyer were side lined from the Indian team for an extended period. However, he is now included in the list alongside Hardik Pandya and Arshdeep Singh, as they aim to make a return to the ODI squad for the Champions Trophy in 2025.
Alongside these names, there is a significant chance that players like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad could make it into the squad. With the Vijay Hazare Trophy currently underway, some familiar names, such as Mayank Agarwal, have also been mentioned. It will be a hectic process for Ajit Agarkar to select the team. Fans are eagerly anticipating a few players to be included in the squad, believing they deserve a real chance. We will have to wait until January 12th to see the complete squad of the team.
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Mohammed Shami’s Situation
Mohammed Shami was side lined due to injury for more than a year. He made his return during the Ranji Trophy, where he performed well and contributed significantly to the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. However, he faced challenges in being included in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy due to a recent knee swelling that has hindered his comeback. Now, his potential return to the team seems to coincide with the upcoming Champions Trophy.
Shami is an exceptional bowler in limited-overs cricket, and his inclusion, alongside Jasprit Bumrah, could greatly strengthen the bowling department. We will need to wait for official confirmation regarding Shami's return, but it appears that he is getting closer to full fitness. Let's hope he gets into the Indian team to add that much-needed boost.
Pre CT25 Build up
India's last ODI series was against Sri Lanka, where they lost the series 2-0. Since then, they have only played T20 and Test cricket. Before the Champions Trophy, India will have three ODIs against England as preparation, allowing for some adjustments to the squad. These three matches will be important fixtures for both teams. Recently, England has been consistent in their performances and will be one of the favorites to clinch the Trophy.
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In other news, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will be featured in that series, while Jasprit Bumrah is set to be rested. We will have to wait until January 12 to find out the official squad, but it is most likely that India will use a similar squad for the England series as well.
The build-up to the Champions Trophy 2025 is generating immense excitement, with fans eagerly awaiting the return of the prestigious 50-over tournament. As India moves past the reality check of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and embraces a new phase, key developments such as Jasprit Bumrah's likely appointment as vice-captain and the upcoming squad reveal are adding to the anticipation. With the tournament set to take place in Pakistan and the UAE, cricket lovers around the world are ready for what promises to be a thrilling contest, marking a fresh chapter in the world of international cricket.
